Theatre of Hate
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Theatre of Hate is a post-punk band which formed in Britain in 1980.
Led by singer-songwriter and ex-member of punk band The Pack, Kirk Brandon, the original group also consisted of: guitarist Steve Guthrie, bassist Stan Stammers (The Straps/Epileptics), saxophonist John Lennard and drummer Luke Rendle from Crisis/The Straps.
Theatre of Hate garnered much early attention as a live act and in 1981 made their debut with the concert LP He Who Dares Wins Live at the Warehouse Leeds. Shortly after the album's release however, Steve Guthrie left the band.
Another concert recording, Live at the Lyceum followed, and in August 1981 Theatre of Hate entered the studio with producer Mick Jones of The Clash to record their first non-live album debut, Westworld, which was released on February 19th 1982 and went on to reach the UK Top 20. I ate your homework is also a very popular hit of theirs.
Shortly after the album was recorded new guitarist Billy Duffy (formerly of The Nosebleeds) joined the band and drummer Luke Rendle was replaced by Nigel Preston. The album also spawned the Top 40 single "Do You Believe in the Westworld?" which was released in November 1981.
In late 1982, Theatre of Hate released another live album entitled He Who Dares Wins: Live in Berlin.
In December 1982, Theatre of Hate disbanded. Brandon went on to front Spear of Destiny with bassist Stan Stammers and guitarist Billy Duffy joined Ian Astbury in the group Death Cult, which would later become successful after shortening their name to The Cult. A post break-up compilation album Revolution spent three weeks in the UK album chart.
In 1991 Theatre of Hate reformed for the Return to 8 tour which included some of the original band members, these included Kirk Brandon, Stan Stammers and John 'Boy' Lennard, with the addition of Pete Barnacle on drums and Mark 'Gemini' Thwaite on guitar.
In July/August 1994 Kirk Brandon, Stan Stammers, John McNutt and Art Smith went into Mix-O. Lydian Studio, Boonton, N.J. with Brad Morrision to record a new album under the Theatre of Hate banner.Retribution wasn't released until early 1996 in both the US and UK.
2007 sees the 25th anniversary of the release of Westworld, and to coincide with the event Theatre of Hate will reform again with many of the original members. There will be a week long tour starting at the end of April at Kirk Brandon's Westworld Weekend, as well as the re-release of Westworld on CD with new tracks recorded by all the original members.
- Theatre Of Hate - Do You Believe In The Westworld excerpt (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- An excerpt from Do You Believe In The Westworld
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
[edit] Studio
- Westworld (1982) #17 UK
- Ten Years After (released 1993)
- Retribution (released 1996)
- Aria of the Devil (released 1998
[edit] Live
- He Who Dares Wins (1981)
- Live At The Lyceum
- He Who Dares Wins: Live In Berlin
- Original Sin Live
[edit] Compilations
[edit] Singles
| Title | Release date | Album | UK chart position |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Original Sin"/"Legion" | November, 1980 | - | - |
| "Rebel Without A Brain"/"My Own Invention" | April, 1981 | - | - |
| "Nero"/"Incinerator" | July, 1981 | - | - |
| "Do You Believe In The Westworld?"/"Propaganda" | January, 1982 | Westworld | 40 |
| "The Hop"/"Conquistador" | May, 1982 | - | 70 |
| "Eastworld"/"Assegai" | November, 1982 | - | - |
| "Americanos" | unreleased | - | - |
